Reusable Co-nanoparticles for general and selective N -alkylation of amines and ammonia with alcohols.

A general cobalt-catalyzed N -alkylation of amines with alcohols by borrowing hydrogen methodology to prepare different kinds of amines is reported. The optimal catalyst for this transformation is prepared by pyrolysis of a specific templated material, which is generated in situ by mixing cobalt salts, nitrogen ligands and colloidal silica, and subsequent removal of silica. Applying this novel Co-nanoparticle-based material, >100 primary, secondary, and tertiary amines including N -methylamines and selected drug molecules were conveniently prepared starting from inexpensive and easily accessible alcohols and amines or ammonia.